PRP chief alleges Buhari opposed Tinubu’s succession, calling his presidency harmful to Nigeria

Allegations of Buhari’s opposition Hakeem Baba‑Ahmed, who leads the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), asserted at a Northern Elders Forum gathering that the late President Muhammadu Buhari pushed back against political forces urging him to support Bola Tinubu’s succession. According to reports in Leadership and Daily Trust, Baba‑Ahmed said Buhari believed Tinubu’s presidency would be detrimental to the nation.

Criticism of Tinubu’s campaign rhetoric During the event, which was recorded and posted on Symfoni’s YouTube channel, the PRP chairman highlighted Tinubu’s use of the Yoruba slogan “Emilokan”, meaning “it is my turn”. He argued that presenting the presidency as a personal entitlement was inappropriate for a country with an estimated population of around 250 million people. Baba‑Ahmed suggested that Nigerians should have questioned the implications of the slogan when it emerged during the 2023 election campaign.

Claims of deteriorating national conditions Baba‑Ahmed further accused the Tinubu administration of worsening Nigeria’s situation since taking office. He described the country as being “depressed” after three and a half years under Tinubu, saying the government had dragged the nation to its lowest possible point. The PRP leader warned that the country could not afford further decline and urged citizens to prevent any attempt to prioritise the president’s personal ambition for a second term over national interests.

Warning against personal political ambition The PRP chairman cautioned that allowing an individual’s desire to retain power could undermine the welfare of Nigerians. He warned that a president’s pursuit of personal power, backed by money and influence, should not be allowed to jeopardise the country’s future. Baba‑Ahmed concluded by stating that Nigeria was already at the bottom of its performance and could not fall any further.

Context and reactions Both sources note that Baba‑Ahmed’s statements were made in the context of a broader debate about leadership succession and governance in Nigeria. While the claims reflect the PRP’s perspective, no official response from the Tinubu administration or Buhari’s estate was included in the reports. The allegations add to ongoing political discourse surrounding the country’s direction under the current presidency.